Five go free as State abruptly halts case

After seven weeks of testimony by some 24 State witnesses, the trial into the murder of Barataria handyman Roger Alexander came to an abrupt end yesterday when special prosecutor Rangee Dolsingh SC sought the court’s leave to discontinue prosecution against the five accused because of lies by the State’s key witness. When the men realised that they were going to be freed, some hugged each other, one wept and another cried out Allah-u-Akbar. Dolsingh and senior prosecutor Jeron Joseph were praised by all for their courageous stance as  ministers of justice. Admiration was also expressed for Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson for his part in the decision-making. Garvin Sookram aka “Beam,” John Wayne Alleyne aka “Bumbles,” Junior Sookram aka “Country,” Hassan Sanchez and Ronald Gaskin aka “Doom,” were before Justice Rajendra Narine charged with the murder of Alexander, aka “One Arm,” on August 19, 2000 in Barataria.

Kerry Joseph, 23, was an accomplice with the five during the shooting to death of Alexander, but  was granted immunity for his testimony against the others. During crafty cross-examination by defence attorney Pamela Elder SC on Thursday, Joseph admitted on three occasions that he had lied and was exposed making conflicting statements on numerous occasions. Before ordering the jury to set the accused free, Justice Narine told Dolsingh, “I wish to commend you, Mr Dolsingh and Mr Joseph, for the position you have taken. I believe that you see your role as not having to pursue a matter to the bitter end in order to secure a conviction. I wish to commend you for your position.” As the five men left the Hall of Justice, there was much hugging, kissing and jubilation among friends and relatives. The men said they were too happy to talk to the media, and then went their separate ways. They are all from Barataria.

When the matter was called yesterday morning and Elder was about to resume her cross-examination of Joseph, Dolsingh rose and informed the court that, “I have a duty to this court and to justice.” Referring to Joseph, who he explained was an accomplice in the killing and a friend of the accused, and still a friend of the accused, Dolsingh said, “Mih Lud, he (Joseph) has given evidence and I am not satisfied that his evidence should be one that I and the State will rely on to convict anybody for the simple reason that anybody being convicted in this country for any charge, let alone murder, the evidence must be compelling, cogent, clear and truthful. Any doubt must go to the accused.”

The ten defence attorneys later admitted that they could not believe what they were hearing and a somewhat shocked Pamela Elder rose to her feet and said, “My Lord, I never thought my friend would say something that would almost make me speechless, but he has, this morning. And from my friend’s conduct this morning, I must say that I am proud to be an attorney-at-law and to be associated with Mr Dolsingh, Senior Counsel. “My friend has acted in the finest traditions of the Bar, and he has restored, not only my faith, but I am sure the faith of all the other attorneys in this matter in our system of justice. My Lord, let justice prevail.”